Fusing & Kilncasting

ANGELA THWAITES

This course is for participants of varying experience. It comprises practical projects, group discussions, demonstrations and technical talks to take place in the working studio. Slide lectures will be scheduled covering both aesthetic and technical aspects of fused and kiln formed glass. Students with little or no prior experience in glass or art and design can talk about their reason for joining the course, and what they would like to achieve through doing it. They will be guided through developing their ideas from their chosen starting point through to making and finishing a piece of fused and kilnformed glass. Students will be encouraged to bring a new and original idea to work on during the course. This can take the form of a sketch or drawing, an image, an object, or a short piece of text to be used as a starting point.

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Angela Thwaites

Angela Thwaites, graduated from West Surrey College of Art and Design, Farnham, Surrey, (now SIAD) in 1982, with a degree in ceramics and glass. In 1983 she received British Council funding to study at MA level at the Academy of Applied Arts in Prague, under Professor Stanislav Libensky, one of the world's greatest exponents of kiln cast glass. This experience consolidated her commitment to working with glass as an expressive, sculptural medium. Returning to the UK in 1985, Thwaites set up her own studio in Hampshire, initially working with very basic equipment, but producing work which was exhibited both nationally and internationally. Since moving to London in 1988, she has continued to make and exhibit a wide range of work, and has been teaching regularly in London, lecturing at universities and speaking at conferences in the UK and Europe. For the last 3 years Thwaites has co-led a major research project at London's Royal College of Art on kilncasting glass techniques. This project forms the most comprehensive survey of contemporary practice yet compiled and will be published on CD Rom this summer under the title 'Mixing with the Best'. Thwaites is an active member of 'New London Glass' - a diverse group of London based artists dedicated to broadening the audience for contemporary glass through exhibitions in unusual and challenging locations including Gloucester Road underground station. www.angelathwaites.com

* An additional US$20 registration fee is charged during application

** The amount of deposit to be paid is US$320